Chapter 81: Whispers on the Wind

Chapter 81: The Wind Brings News

When Wang Guocheng revealed his true identity to Fan Xiaoyao, she dismissed it as a joke and paid it no heed. The idea that Wang Guocheng was the CEO of KINGYI Group had already slipped from Fan Xiaoyao’s mind the morning after she heard it.

On that morning, as Fan Xiaoyao was still lost in dreams, a shrill ring from her phone jolted her awake. She grumbled as she glanced at the caller, seeing Yang Yeye’s name displayed. With little patience, she answered, “Hello, Yeye, what’s going on? Are you my alarm clock this early in the morning?”

Yang Yeye shouted through the line, “Stop pretending to be sleepy, open your mailbox and take out today’s Kangcheng Morning News! Look at what’s written!”

After hanging up, Fan Xiaoyao rubbed her sleepy eyes and glanced at the tightly closed guest room door, noticing Wang Guocheng seemed not to have gotten up yet. Normally, at this hour, he would already be busy in the kitchen.

“Guocheng?” She opened the guest room door, finding the quilt neatly folded at the foot of the bed in the room where Wang Guocheng had slept.

Fan Xiaoyao found it odd. Last night, Wang Guocheng had been so affectionate, yet he had vanished early this morning.

Just then, her phone rang again. “Youyu, what’s wrong? Why are you calling me so early?”

Feng Youyu anxiously asked, “Xiaoyao, open your phone and check Kangcheng Online. There’s a news article you’ll definitely be interested in.”

Without waiting for Feng Youyu to finish, Fan Xiaoyao interrupted, “What are you two up to this morning? Can’t I have a peaceful start to my day?”

Seeing Fan Xiaoyao’s indifference, Feng Youyu sighed. “Xiaoyao, just check your phone and open Kangcheng Online. When you see it, you’ll understand! By the way, is Wang Guocheng with you right now?”

Fan Xiaoyao didn’t understand why Feng Youyu was asking about Wang Guocheng’s whereabouts, but she answered honestly. “Guocheng? I haven’t seen him since I woke up. Maybe he went out to buy breakfast.”

Feng Youyu responded with an “Oh” and hung up, leaving Fan Xiaoyao puzzled.

Following Yang Yeye’s instructions, Fan Xiaoyao opened the door and retrieved the Kangcheng Morning News from the mailbox.

On the financial section of page A4, a striking headline caught her eye: “KINGYI Group to Relocate Headquarters to Kangcheng This Year.” There was even a photo of a man who bore a strong resemblance to Wang Guocheng, labeled as KINGYI Group President, Mr. KINGYI.WANG.

KINGYI.WANG? Was it Mr. Wang or Mr. Wang? Perhaps it was just a coincidence.

Fan Xiaoyao never expected that the playful claim Wang Guocheng made last night would be followed by such a mysterious report this morning.

Staring at the blurred profile in the article that looked so much like Wang Guocheng, she couldn’t help but feel confused. As she gazed at the Kangcheng Evening News in her hand, the side view of the man so similar to Wang Guocheng made her dazed. Just then, the phone rang again.

This time, Rong Kai called, sounding anxious. “Xiaoyao, have you checked your phone? Open it now and look at the news about KINGYI Group moving to Kangcheng.”

“Kangcheng Online dug up the CEO of KINGYI Group, and the photos look like Wang Guocheng.”

Fan Xiaoyao laughed indifferently over the phone. “Brother, it’s not April Fool’s Day. Why are you, sister-in-law, and Youyu all so invested in KINGYI Group today? Even if Wang Guocheng looks like the CEO, he’s still just Wang Guocheng, isn’t he?”

Rong Kai sighed. “Xiaoyao, you don’t know what’s going on today. All the major media outlets in Kangcheng are reporting about KINGYI Group. Normally, this would be a PR campaign, but the odd thing is, the CEO’s photos are all back views or profiles. I suspect it’s not just a routine publicity stunt—someone might be doing this on purpose.”

Fan Xiaoyao grinned, still unconcerned. “What’s so strange about it? Maybe it’s just a coincidence. Perhaps KINGYI Group wants to move their headquarters to Kangcheng because they see potential here. As for whether Wang Guocheng is the CEO, I think I have more authority to speak on that. Does Wang Guocheng’s refined demeanor really seem like someone who’s maneuvered through the cutthroat world of business?”

In the end, Fan Xiaoyao comforted Rong Kai over the phone. “Kai, don’t worry. Wang Guocheng isn’t KINGYI.WANG. He’s just an ordinary university lecturer, not the billionaire tycoon described in those reports.”

After hanging up, Fan Xiaoyao stood by the window, looking at the traffic and the hurried crowds in the distance, amused by the morning’s events.

Is Wang Guocheng really KINGYI.WANG? To be honest, Fan Xiaoyao felt confused. She didn’t know whom to believe.

She picked up her phone and dialed Wang Guocheng. “Guocheng, you’ve disappeared this morning. Are you planning to evaporate from the world?”

Wang Guocheng, who was discussing the morning’s revelations with the Kangcheng company leaders, gestured for silence around him.

“Xiaoyao, what’s wrong? How could I evaporate? Didn’t you say you wanted to try Douhua from Nanjiang Town? I went there early this morning and I’m on my way back now.”

Hearing that Wang Guocheng went to Nanjiang Town just to buy Douhua for her, Fan Xiaoyao felt a warmth in her heart.

“It’s so cold out, and you didn’t take me with you. The morning dew in Kangcheng is heavy—you’d better not catch a cold.”

Wang Guocheng teased her on the phone. “Just now you asked if I evaporated—were you worried about me? Was it because you woke up and didn’t see me, and got scared I’d left?”

It was the first time since coming to Kangcheng that Wang Guocheng hadn’t prepared breakfast for Fan Xiaoyao, the first time he’d left without telling her.

Everything he did now was to surprise her. He didn’t want to hide anymore. He wanted Fan Xiaoyao to know everything about him.

Except for the fact that he was the son of the head of state, everything else he was ready to confess.